“So be careful to do what the Lord your God has commanded you; do not turn aside to the right or to the left. Walk in obedience to all that the Lord your God has commanded you, so that you may live and prosper and prolong your days in the land that you will possess.” Deuteronomy 5:33
Back in the Day, while teaching Midweek Confirmation classes to 7th and 8th kids in Nebraska, there were several intelligent young souls that didn’t like all of the ‘don’t do this’ in the Catechism. They didn’t like to be told what they could or couldn’t do. They might have been your child. This type of thinking could easily be us. Adam and Eve.
The Ten Commandments are a perfect example for those of us struggling with the authorities. Ten ‘Thou Shall Not…’ that God intended to be obeyed without hesitation or question. And there is no wiggle room in any of them. God gave them to us to improve the quality of our life. I encouraged those young confirmands and you as well on this side of Paradise to guide your life by any and all Scripture with all of your heart, regardless of how anyone else may respond. When challenges that may seem to not be specified in Scripture darken your path, it then becomes a matter of one's personal preference or convictions.
We have freedom in Christ, which means not only freedom from sin and shame but also a freedom in lifestyle, so that we can become models of His grace. Others will notice you living in His grace. Remember the scripture from Monday; The Great Commission. We have freedom in Christ. Yay to His Word and Nay to the wisdom of this fallen world. Drown dry.
Dear Heavenly Father, you have called your servants to ventures of which we cannot see the ending, by paths as yet untrodden, through perils unknown. Give us faith to go out with good courage, not knowing where we go but only that your hand is leading us and your love supporting us through Jesus Christ our Lord and Savior. Amen.
May God be with you,
Jay